Consider it the biggest stage. Or, at least, the first biggest stage for hockey’s elite.

“It was pretty special,” Sven Baertschi said. “I was just a kid from Switzerland. Then I come over (to North America) for my first season. Then I go to Toronto and play in such a great game. It was great to see all these talented players. It was great to compete against them. You want to make sure you win — and we did.”

The Calgary Flames youngster was referring to the 2011 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Midway through the rookie left-winger’s campaign with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, he had been named to the showcase.

And he knew it was an important step.

“I had Doug Gilmour for a coach and he came in before the game,” Baertschi recalled at Friday afternoon’s press conference at the Scotiabank Saddledome. “He said, ‘You know what? Just play hockey. Don’t worry about anything else.’ We just went out and played and had a lot of fun. That’s why I thought we won.”

The Top Prospects Game — always a flocking point for NHL bird-dogs — comes to Calgary on Jan. 15, 2014.

Six of the past seven first-overall picks have participated in the pageant.

Not surprisingly, there will be a distinct Flames flavour to the festivities.

Coaching one side will be Lanny McDonald, assisted by Mike Vernon and Joel Otto.

“We are taking this very seriously,” said McDonald. “It is obviously very competitive. These are the next stars of tomorrow. We are proud to be a part — a very small part — in helping them get to the top. Obviously, with all the scouts here, we know how important it is, so we are not taking this lightly. We want to win, but we want to showcase the talent more than anything.”

Meanwhile, Jim Peplinski will marshall the other squad, with help from Paul Reinhart and a heretofore unnamed alumnus.

“The beauty of this game is that it is a real hockey game,” said Peplinski. “And it will be fun to compete against Lanny and Joel and Mike Vernon. We look forward to what this will do in the city.

“It’ll be a fun event, with a real edge to it.”

Traditionally, too, there is a Calgary Hitmen presence.

To the Top Prospects Game, the local junior outfit has delivered 24 players, more than any other team.

And it would appear that at least one more — forward Jake Virtanen (one of eight WHL skaters to be given an ‘A’ designation this week by Central Scouting) — will jump into this year’s version.

This marks the third time that Calgary has hosted the event, and the first since 2001.

“It’s a good experience,” said Flames rookie centre Sean Monahan, who, as a member of the Ottawa 67’s, had skated in the event a year ago — a gathering that ended up producing 19 first-round picks. “You’re playing with 40 of the top players and there’s a lot of people watching. It’s a special game. Something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

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